If pursuing a masters degree, doctorate degree or graduate certificate is on your radar, you may want to consider traditional campus-based graduate programs. Working towards an on-campus graduate degree may be a great way to expand not only your skills and knowledge, but also your professional and personal networks. Find a graduate school close to your home, in another state, city, or country on our directory.

What is Graduate School?

Graduate school encompasses advanced programs of study – graduate programs – that are focused on a specific academic discipline (e.g. business) or profession (e.g. engineering). Graduate schools may be academically oriented where the focus is on generating original research in one’s field of study. Or, a graduate school may be professionally oriented where the emphasis is on developing skills and knowledge for a specific profession. Alternatively, it may be both. Either way, graduate schools offer Masters degrees, doctoral degrees, post-baccalaureate and post-master’s graduate certificates. In other words, education beyond the Bachelors degree.

How Many Years is Graduate School?

Often the time it takes to ‘finish’ graduate school is dependent on the graduate programs themselves. Given that graduate program lengths vary, the following is an estimate;

Masters degree might take 1 to 3 years beyond the Bachelors degree.

Professional Doctorate (e.g. DBA) might take 3 to 6 years.

Research Doctorate (PhD) might take 5 to 7 years.

Graduate Certificate might take about one year.

Why Choose On-Campus Graduate Programs?

While it is true that distance-learning might provide a portable learning environment (have lap-top, will travel) on-campus graduate programs offer in-person learning, which has its own distinct features:

Earning a graduate degree on campus may offer the opportunity to develop

Graduate schools may have facilities such as athletics, libraries, alumni groups, places to eat, career counseling, health care

Learn through demonstration, live lectures and hands-on laboratory work.

You may be able to find an evening program, one that meets on weekends or is offered part-time

Graduate Studies vs. Undergraduate Studies

Compared to an undergraduate degree, a graduate degree may entail:

A highly concentrated course of study in a specific discipline

Students may have comprehensive exams and rigorous examinations

Class size may be smaller, and emphasis may be placed on team building or group projects

Graduate programs may be oriented to leadership, management, research

Some graduate degree programs may entail work experience via internships, supervised teaching, or research

Conducting and contributing original knowledge and findings is often required

Some graduate programs may focus on case analysis and practical application of knowledge, as opposed to general or basic theory.

What Campus-Based Graduate Degrees Are Available?

On-Campus graduate degrees are available in many subjects and come in three levels:

Graduate certificates,

Masters degrees,

Doctorate degrees.

On our site, we list graduate programs by category. Opening a category might give you a list of sub-specialties under a separate ‘subject selection’ menu. From there, you can refine by the degree level.

On Campus Business graduate programs

On-Campus Criminal Justice and Legal graduate programs

On-Campus Education graduate programs

On-Campus Fine Arts and Design graduate programs

On-Campus Health and Medicine graduate programs

On-Campus Liberal Arts & Humanities graduate programs

On-Campus Math, Science and Engineering graduate programs

On-Campus Public Affairs and Social Sciences graduate programs

On-Campus Religious Studies graduate programs

On-Campus Technology graduate programs

Campus-Based Graduate Certificates

Campus-based graduate certificate programs offer highly focused courses in a non-degree program. A grad certificate may add onto existing credentials or prepare for a future graduate degree where program credits can be transferred.

Campus-Based Doctorate Degrees

Doctoral degrees are the highest attainable degrees. They usually require the generation of new knowledge or theory via independent research - be it basic or applied (e.g. Doctor of Business Administration, Doctor of Psychology, Doctor of Nursing Practice). Specialist degrees are generally earned in addition to a master's degree and do require additional coursework, training, or internship experience. This type of grad degree usually prepares students for professional certification or licensing requirements (e.g., Ed.S. for school principal or school psychologist).

Accreditation for Graduate Programs & Graduate Schools

In the United States, accreditation is the process where a private, nonprofit organization reviews the quality of a university and/or its programs for quality assurance and quality improvement. Per the Council for Higher Education Accreditation (CHEA), there are four types of accrediting organizations[i];

When evaluating a graduate school or a graduate degree program, many accreditation agencies have databases of current members.

Why Consider a Graduate Degree?

Pursuing a graduate degree on campus may be an opportunity to conduct research, learn technical skills, or prepare for licensure in career paths where it is required for professional practice.

Individuals might work towards a graduate degree for a wide variety of personal and professional reasons and goals;

Potential to expand employment opportunities, especially for career paths that require a graduate degree for entry-level positions

Potential for career advancement

Personal research interests

Credibility and professional recognition

Preparation for professional practice and licensure (e.g. Psychology, Law, Medicine)

DID YOU KNOW? “Occupations that typically require a master's degree for entry are projected to grow the fastest, 18.4 percent, from 2012 to 2022. This growth is largely a result of the concentration of these occupations in the fast-growing healthcare and social assistance industry, which is projected to add a combined 255,000 of the 448,500 new jobs in occupations requiring a master's degree"[ii]

Find Accredited Graduate Schools with On-Campus Graduate Degrees

Find accredited graduate schools with on-campus graduate degrees by location. Once you have chosen a category (e.g.) business, refined be specialty (e.g. finance), narrowed it down by degree level (e.g. Master) you might look for campus Master of Finance degrees in a specific city, state or country. The same process can be used for any subject.

Take the Next Step

The great thing about our site is that as you review programs, you can submit a ‘request info’ form to contact one or several potential graduate schools. Take the next step in your education. Choose a Master’s, Doctorate, or certificate on-campus graduate program today!

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